Grand Teton to Waive Entry Fees August 14-15

August 6, 2010
10-63
Grand Teton National Park will waive entrance fees for the weekend of August 14-15 as part of a nationwide initiative proclaimed earlier this year by Department of the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar.

Secretary Salazar announced that fee waivers are being offered during targeted summer weekends as a way to encourage Americans seeking affordable vacations to visit their national parks and national refuges. The initiative is also designed to encourage people to connect with the great outdoors and engage in healthy activities. In addition to the August weekend, entrance fees will also be waived for National Public Lands Day on September 25, 2010.

Besides the fee-free weekend, Grand Teton park ranger naturalists will be conducting their summer schedule of programs. Ranger-led programs give visitors the chance: to ponder the challenges of protecting public lands and natural resources during a “Voices for Wilderness” walk from the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center to the Murie Ranch; to explore the beauty and geology of Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point during a ranger-led hike from Jenny Lake; to discover the role of geology and fire ecology by taking a “Fire and Ice” cruise from the Colter Bay marina; to learn about American Indian culture during a tour of the David T. Vernon Indian Art Collection at the Colter Bay Museum; to understand the power of place by taking an “Explore the Preserve” hike at the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve; and to gather their families for an illustrated campfire chat at a “Jenny Lake Twilight Talk” or “Signal Mountain Campfire” program.

In addition, several special ranger-led activities will be conducted to encourage visitors to explore special park features. These programs include: Canoe String Lake & Leigh Lake with a Ranger
Bring your canoe and enjoy an early morning paddle with a ranger on String and Leigh Lakes on Friday, August 13, at 8 a.m. Participants should bring a canoe and all necessary paddling equipment, including a personal floatation device, water, sunscreen, raingear, and snacks. Reservations are required; call the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center at 307.739.3399.

100 years of Horses in the National Parks
Meet and greet the Grand Teton mounted patrol horses and learn about the historical and current uses of horses in the protection of our national parks on Saturday, August 14, at 7 p.m. This 45-minute program meets at the Gros Ventre Campground Amphitheater. For directions and more information please call the Discovery Center at 307.739.3399.

Additional special programs will be posted on flyers at park visitor centers; visitors can also call for this information by dialing the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center at 307.739.3399, Colter Bay Visitor Center at 307.739.3594, Jenny Lake Visitor Center at 307.739.3392 and the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Center at 307.739.3654.

A full listing of programs can be found in the park’s newspaper, Teewinot, posted online at www.nps.gov. A hard copy of the Teewinot can be picked up at any park visitor center or entrance station.